Police Ban Protest In Imo, As Okorocha’s Supporters Demand Removal Of REC

POLICE authorities in Imo State have banned further street protests in the state. They have directed that aggrieved politicians in the elections should proceed to electoral tribunals to express their grievances.
 
The order is coming on the heels of several protests by supporters of the governorship standardbearers of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Chief Rochas Okorocha, that of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Emeka Ihedioha, and the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Capt Emmanuel Iheanacho, among others, since Monday after the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) declared the results inconclusive.
 
Meanwhile, the Resident Electoral Commission (REC), in the state, Dr. Gabriel Ada, has disclosed that the commission has begun compiling the names of the commission’s officials accused of one electoral fraud or the other during the polls.

Ada, who stated while speaking with The Guardian on Thursday, noted that the fingered officials would be prosecuted by the commission in the state.
 
In a statement signed by the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Mr. Andrew Enwerem, a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP), the command noted with disgust the threat the protest posed to the citizens and residents of the state, urging the aggrieved politicians to approach the appropriate places of protest to obtain justice.

The police reminded the candidates, politicians and their supporters of the peace accord they entered into, adding that it was still in force.

In another development, the Commander General of Rochas Okorocha Campaign Organization, Iheukwumere Alaribe, has called on INEC Chairman, Prof. Attahiru Jega, demanding the removal of the State REC, Dr. Gabriel Ada accusing him of bias. This came few hours after he announced the re- run of Imo governorship and House of Assembly polls, scheduled for April 25.
 
Addressing journalists in Owerri on Thursday, Iheukwumere, who is the Commissioner for Housing, accompanied by the Commissioner for Lands and Survey, Chief Uche Nwosu; and the Seniour Special Assistant, Media, to the governor, Mr. Sam Onwuemeodo, expressed lack of confidence in the REC to conduct the April 25 re- run in the state.